James Evans knows he faces a tougher battle than ever to get in the Bulls side despite his well-earned promotion.

The Australian proved one of Steve McNamara's most astute signings last season, scoring 13 tries in 24 matches following his move from Huddersfield Giants.

Although originally struggling to break into the squad due to the Ben Harris/ Shontayne Hape partnership, the lively centre took his chance when the latter suffered a season-wrecking injury in March.

He delivered some cracking performances, establishing himself as a key member of the Bulls backline, and has since been rewarded with the No 3 jersey following Harris's move to North Queensland.

However, with McNamara having captured two more top centres - Chris Nero and Paul Sykes - Evans realises he can't rest on his laurels.

"It doesn't really mean much whether you've got number three on your back or number 77," he said.

"It's how you perform that counts and I know I have to do that because we've got a great squad here now.

"Chris Nero is a great bloke and a fantastic player. We were good mates at Huddersfield and I'm looking forward to him being here at Bradford.

"He'll be great for us while Paul Sykes has represented Great Britain and is another fine centre. With Shonny (Hape) as well - one of the best in the world - there's more competition than ever for the centre spots.

"It is nice to get it (No3) but I was genuinely happy with 17 last season and didn't care about that. It's never been a big thing for me.

"It's going to be tough and challenging enough just to get into the side but competition is what we need and when you look through the entire squad now, we've got it."

Ben Jeffries, Semi Tadulala, Wayne Godwin and Simon Finnigan are the other new arrivals.

Evans, 29, added: "It's great for the team to have so much depth now, not only in the centres but at back-row, in the halves, all over.

"When we get injuries I don't think it'll matter as much as before because we've got the players.

"I think whichever team we put out next season can be great and they're all good Super League players right the way though.

"Steve's done a fantastic job putting this squad together and it's an exciting time."

Evans' own displays last season were all the more remarkable considering he played much of the summer with a severely injured wrist.

He has been in for surgery during the off-season, undergoing a repair job, and the cast will come off next week.

"There'll be another month of rehab after that but I should be fully fit by January 3rd and raring to go," he said.

"It'll have been three-and-a-half months in total but fortunately I shouldn't have missed any matches, which is the main thing."

Now the former Wakefield Trinity Wildcat is bidding to repeat his debut campaign heroics.

"I really enjoyed it last season and was really pleased with how I went," Evans said.

"It's fantastic being at a club like Bradford but I know I have to improve again. Just taking one look at this squad reminds me of that."

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